In this world we do face valleys dark at times or we see a loved one hurting and just hope that we might ease their burden. Yet, if it is those valleys that bring us closer to God; then wouldn’t every tear be worth the joy we find in knowing Him?
C.S.Lewis is quoted as saying,
“Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”
John 16: 19 Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?
20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.
22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
There was a time in which within a few years, I had been widowed; followed by cancer, ulcerative colitis, financial ruin, surgeries, pain, loneliness, with what seemed no relief from the onslaught of problems. It was those times that the book "Mountaintop Experiences in the Valley" was born; although, later I expanded it before it was released. The following poem I wrote as the theme poem for that book. I hope it brings you comfort through whatever trial you may be facing today. Remember this, God loves you and He has a perfect plan to bring you into a place of perfect joy and only He knows how all the moments of sorrow work together to prepare your heart to receive His gift of love, joy, hope and peace in the center of this chaotic world in which we live. I can tell you that I would walk every mile of sorrow and shed every tear again, for the sake of knowing Christ Jesus as my greatest treasure, my companion, my hope, and my love. As Paul had learned and wrote in Philippians 3: "8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:"
GIVE ME THIS VALLEY
I cried, Lord, please help me climb
This mountain so sublime
Full of health and wealth and fame
Surely there I’d praise your name
But I heard a whispering voice
Said, for you that’s not my choice
I want you in this valley deep
Where your joy my heart will keep
Lord, you can take that mountain high
And let me stay here by your side
In this valley filled with pain
Where I know you know my name
Give me a life where I might live
Dependent on the Grace you give
I’d rather be here by your side
Than on that great mountainside
Give me the faith and hope that’s yours
As Your spirit through me pours
To a world in need of you
Give me strength for them to view
Let me show the Glory of Your Hope
Far from that slippery slope
In the valley where you stand
Let me walk and hold Your hand
Though the Valley may be dark
You’re the light, my precious spark
You are all I need to know
Let me walk now here below
Give me the love of Your great smile
That casts aside my selfish guile
Remove thoughts of self pity
Your heart to see more clearly
You are the only one I need
For my soul you have freed
By the valley that You walked
To the cross where you were mocked
So let me walk this valley too
Where there your heart I knew
Keep your mountains filled with pride
Let me stay here at Your side.